Are you ready for Christmas?
Almost everywhere I go, I hear these words.
While chatting after church.
While buying groceries at the store.
While sitting in the dentist’s chair.
Are you ready for Christmas?
Well, yes and no.
No, I don’t have every gift purchased and wrapped.
No, I don’t have every card licked and stamped.
But, yes, I’m ready for Christmas.
Christmas could happen today and that would be okay. Better than okay.
Because I’m letting go of this self-imposed ideal that I’m somehow supposed to create a home that looks like something out of a holiday movie. I’m giving myself permission to “prepare” for Christmas a little differently this year. More than anything, I want this Christmas to be a time when I can simply be with family — and exhale. A time when I can read through my prayer journals of 2016 and give thanks for the presence He continues to be in my life the other 364 days of the year.
My prayer for all of us is that we’ll find a way each day to treasure the Gift that Christmas reminds us to receive.
Christmas invites us to press pause on the hurry of everyday life. To light a candle and remember. And to ponder the beauty of Immanuel.
God came to be with us, and now to live in us.
Gifts and cards are fun. I love those things too. But I’m feeling less angst about having those things prepared exactly as I’ve envisioned in the past.
I’m ready for my kids to be home from school without any homework due.
I’m ready for sleeping in and making pancakes and lounging around in our robes.
I’m ready to gather around the fireplace and read the Story once again.
I’m ready to savor the most amazing Gift of all. Jesus.
I’m ready for Christmas.
Are you?
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Denise,
Like you, I’m learning to press pause in each day to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas. It means I’ve had to let some things go, but in making room for Christ in each day of Advent, I lose the angst and the anxiety that so often comes with this season. Even if it’s just to drink my coffee and sit in the dark on an early morning in front of my lighted tree while looking at the Nativity scene displayed on my table….this is being ready for Christmas. Fewer gifts purchased, as we’ve really tried to cut back on quantity of things we don’t really need, will make wrapping less of a chore. But, even wrapping done with carols in the background is pushing pause. I’m also having a lot of fun with a “Kind Acts Advent Calendar” that has me doing random acts of kindness each day….now THIS is being ready for Christmas 🙂 Lovely post!
Advent blessings,
Bev
Lynn Schroeder says
I’m learning to “feel” this Christmas. I’m not allowing it to rush by this year. I’m “pondering in my heart” and it feels good. Thank you for your words.
Crystal Twaddell says
I’m in the same place Denise, and how freeing and truly peaceful it is! Happy Christmas to you!
Michele Morin says
With us and IN US! What a great reminder of where my strength comes from in all seasons.
Denise E. McKenzie says
Jesus came as our Life-Light to light up the darkness. He came to live in us as He dwells among us. So we have this Light Source to get us through these moments of struggle and heartache…. yes even in this season of celebration. He is our Hope for the Holiday. It is for these very times of trouble that He came… so we could remember in gratitude and choose every day to connect with that Light source and live! God, my Abba Father help me through your Spirit to reflect your unfailing love. AMEN
Diane Gum says
As my first December as an empty nester, I knew I would need to focus on Christ more and cherish any time I have with my kids. I’m trying and hopefully succeeding at being less rushed, less pressured, less striving for “perfection”. Praise the Lord!
Mrs H says
Thank you for such a good reminder. “Jesus IS the Reason for the season”. It’s not about things, it’s about Him and the giving/sharing of love with all around us. Thank you again Denise! Have a Blessed Christmas
Kathy Cheek says
I have not sent one Christmas card yet and had decided to only send a few this year, but I was just at the post office and this year’s Nativity stamp is so beautiful that I am re-thinking a longer list! I stopped at the Post Office after a Christmas Party with my Bible Study Group of 20 ladies, and my cookie canister that I brought still had some cookies in it, so I took it into the post office and just handed them out to mostly employees who gobbled them up quickly and said, “Please come back and bring more cookies!” That was fun, and that felt like Christmas!
Beth Williams says
Denise,
I totally agree! Let’s press pause on the go go go of the season and stop. Let’s read the story one more time and let it sink in what really happened!! I’m ready for Christmas. Not baking much or sending out many cards. Just a few to family and friends. Tired of thinking I need to do it all & feel so tired & worn out. I’m also tired of all the commercialism of Christmas. I want the world to know Jesus is here–it is His birthday and He deserves the gifts. Even if all we bring are our hearts.
(((((Hugs))))) Blessings 🙂
Tyra says
Yes yes friend I’m ready too! Emmanuel has been dwelling with me and making his presence felt in the most sweet tangible ways. I pray we can all embrace that He is already here and seeks to intimately commune with us.
Marina says
Yes. I’m ready. So ready!
I don’t normally shop for Christmas, but extreme circumstances are forcing me to (having 3 kids, their 3 spouses and 10 grands all under our roof this Christmas Eve, before one of those families leaves for their mission field, there’s a party to be had!).
I’m so weary of waiting…. or weary IN waiting.
I’m ready to just sit by the tree and snuggle with a few grands and sing some Christmas songs while the world stands still for a moment or two…
Instead I’m up to my ear lobes in wrapping and menu planning for a week and who will sleep where.
But each night, my husband and I are reading Kris Camealy’s “Come, Lord Jesus” Advent Devo, and for those few minutes my heart and mind turn toward His coming, and all is right in the world. So grateful for the timing of her book this year. I’ve needed it.
Shauna Viele says
“To God be the Glory” bracelets were handed out at the visitation the evening before a relative’s funeral this week. A battle fought hard was lost physically, but spiritually he won, hands down. A hard season for the family even with their strong faith. Reminds us of what is really important, and it’s not what is under the tree or in the stockings…
Rosanna says
This perspective is so refreshing! I have often felt bogged down and pressured to do, do, do. The thing is, about 5 years ago, we decided to stop. That should be restful. That should bring peace, but just today I realized that I am far too worried about what people think. I love the perspective that “Christmas could come today and I would be ready.” I’m going to hold onto that. Thanks!